Unlocking the Secrets of Personality Types – Part 3

Published July 07, 2010 in Psychology by Sharon Harris

You learned what personality types are in part one and what personality type most libertarians are in part two, but what do personality types have to do with libertarianism anyways? If you want to effectively communicate the ideas of Liberty, you must first know who you are talking to. Finding an individual’s personality type can help you better communicate with them in a way they will better respond to.

Attracting other types

In my opinion, each of the four temperament types is naturally attracted to specific political views. Green Cards are naturally attracted to libertarianism. Gold Cards are naturally attracted to conservatism. Blue Cards are naturally attracted to liberalism. And Orange Cards tend to be skeptical about politics.

Interestingly, I think it's difficult for conservatives to attract anyone but Gold Cards, and it may be hard for liberals to attract other types than Blue Cards. On the other hand -- though Green Cards are the "natural" libertarians -- libertarianism is attractive to all types

Let me repeat that: Libertarianism is attractive to all types -- provided we learn to communicate the ideas in a way that each personality type can understand and appreciate.

Understanding types

Knowing our own types and the types of others gives us an opportunity to establish rapport with other people. Can this be helpful in spreading political ideas? You bet it can!

How different the outcome might have been had you known that Aunt Bess is a Gold Card and Cousin Ben is an Orange Card. You would reverse the two approaches.

As a Gold Card, to Aunt Bess the most important thing in politics is stability, tradition, safety. When she hears about "everyone doing their own thing" it naturally scares her.

A better approach for her would be, "Libertarianism is the philosophy of the founding fathers  the best of American tradition." In your discussion about the benefits of a free market, tell her the story of how Underwriters Laboratories came up with the idea of standardizing electrical plugs, solving a major fire safety problem without government involvement.

Cousin Ben's not particularly interested in safety and security. He likes to take risks, and he doesn't want others telling him what to do. He will be open to libertarianism when you tell him that libertarians are really the only political group that believes he should decide whether he wears a helmet when he rides his motorcycle.

Let's look at what it is about libertarianism that appeals to each of the types.

Blue Cards: Libertarianism is the most compassionate philosophy. Application of libertarian principles leads to the greatest good for the most people -- particularly the poor and disadvantaged. It gives people more choices to "be themselves." It provides more opportunities. Talk to this type about the benefits of liberty to people.

Example: "Libertarians want people to be able to make their dreams come true, to live up to their potential." "When people have more choices, they're happier." "Libertarians want to strengthen private charities, which have a great track record for helping those who are less fortunate."

Gold Cards: Libertarianism is our American heritage. The Founding Fathers were basically libertarian. This is the tradition of America. Application of libertarian principles brings about a predictable order to society. Libertarianism works.

Example: "Libertarianism is truly our American heritage." "If Thomas Jefferson were alive today, he'd call himself a libertarian." "Here's a practical solution to the problem of violence in our cities..."

Orange Cards: Libertarianism is the one political philosophy that allows the individual to be in charge of his own life -- leaving him free to take risks, to have adventures, to live his own life as he pleases. Libertarianism is really the only political philosophy that will be really attractive to this type.

Example: "Libertarians believe you should be free to go sky-diving or bungee-jumping; after all, you're only free when you can decide what risks you want to take."

Green Cards: Libertarianism is logical and reasonable. It makes sense. Green Cards love the abstract principles involved, and they're easily able to see the big picture of the marketplace, the cause and effect of things. They also are attracted to a philosophy that has basic principles from which you can draw conclusions and apply to specific problems. With this type, talk about basic principles and abstract concepts -- and recommend books to read.

Example: "Libertarianism is a well-thought-out system of ideas arrived at through reason and logic."

Knowing an individual’s personality type can help you tailor the message of Liberty to them, but how can it help when speaking to groups? Find out in the final segment of Unlocking the Secrets of Personality Types.

For more insights on personality types read Life Types by Sandra Hirsh & Jean Kummerow